Nixa council is unanimous on next city administrator

Nixa City Council tonight voted unanimously to appoint Police Chief Jimmy Liles its next city administrator.

After teasing an announcement last week, council voted to promote Liles to city administrator and swore him in to the new role. City Council voted Sept. 20 to offer the job to Liles, but the appointment didn’t become official until tonight’s meeting, said city spokesman Drew Douglas.

Liles was chosen out of a pool of more than 100 applicants, 25 semifinalists and 12 finalists, according to a news release.

“While any of the finalists would have been a fine addition to our community, Jimmy Liles’ leadership credentials stood out,” Mayor Brian Steele said in the release. “Jimmy Liles has proven himself to be an exceptional leader who demonstrates the highest level of professionalism, honesty and ethics.

“We were not just searching for a new city manager, but a city leader — someone who will shape the future of our community for years to come.”

Liles, who has been Nixa Police chief since March 2014 and a city employee for 19 years, becomes the fourth person to serve as city administrator since the position was created in 1988. He succeeds 17-year leader Brian Bingle, who retired last year. Public Works Director Doug Colvin has served in the role in the interim.

Steele also announced Colvin will take on the role of assistant city administrator in addition to his work leading Nixa Utilities and Public Works, according to the release.

Liles started with the city as a Nixa Police officer in 1999. Prior to his appointment as chief, he rose through the ranks of corporal, sergeant and lieutenant.

“I am looking forward to working with all of the talented staff across the city in my new role. I am very excited to be able to lead this team as we take the city of Nixa to the next level,” Liles said in the release.

The city is expected to soon announce the appointment of an interim Police chief.